Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Oscar de la Cruz Goes Six Strong at Riverview

Oscar de la Cruz hurled six innings (78 pitches - 72% strikes) of one-run/three-hit ball (run was unearned) with five strikeouts and no walks, Cam Balego drilled an RBI single and an RBI double and drew a walk, Delvin Zinn singled, doubled, stole a base, and scored three runs, Jonathan Soto belted a two-run HR and a single, and Alexander Guerra smacked a solo HR, in Cubs Extended Spring Training intrasquad game action Tuesday morning on Field #6 on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

Alec Mills (Iowa) and Oscar de la Cruz (Tennessee) were the starting pitchers in the game. Both were left behind in Mesa by their respective full-season clubs so that they could pitch in a game on what was their normal day to pitch, with both scheduled to make regular-season starts for their teams this coming Sunday or Monday. So it was a matter of them getting both their normal-scheduled work and increasing their pitch counts closer to regular-season levels.  

Enrique de los Rios and Brendan King followed de la Cruz and Mills to the mound, getting stretched-out in preparation for being Cubs EXST SP.  
 
Here is the box score from the game:      
SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Roberto Caro, LF: 1-4 (F-8, 1B, F-7, P-5, CS)
2. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 2-4 (2B, K, K, 1B)
3. Jonathan Sierra, RF: 0-4 (F-7, P-2, F-7, 4-3 DP)
4. Alexander Guerra, C: 1-4 (K+WP, K, 6-3, HR, 2 R, RBI)
5. Rafael Mejia, 1B: 0-4 (P-6, K, 5-3, E-5)
6. Fidel Mejia, 3B: 2-4 (E-4, 3B, 1B, F-9)
7. Ramsey Romano, SS: 0-2 (F-8 SF, 1-3, F-9, RBI)
8a. Christopher Morel, DH: 0-2 (F-9, 5-3)
8b. Eric Gonzalez, PH: 0-1 (F-9)
9. Fernando Kelli, CF: 0-3 (K, F-8, P-4)

SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
X. Chris Coghlan, RF: 0-2 (BB, K, BB, P-2)
NOTE: Coghlan led-off 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th innings
1. Delvin Zinn, 2B: 2-4 (5-4 FC, 2B, 1B, K, 3 R, SB)
2. Jonathan Soto, C: 2-4 (K, F-7, HR, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
3. Cam Balego, 3B: 2-3 (2B, 1B, BB, 5-4-3 DP, 2 RBI)
4. Luis Diaz, DH: 1-4 (5-3, 6-3, 5-4-3 DP, 3B, R)
5. Luis Vazquez, SS: 1-4 (E-5, L-9, P-3, 1B, RBI)
6. Joe Martarano, 1B: 0-4 (K, K, 5-3, K)
7. Jose Gutierrez, CF: 0-3 (0-3, 4-3, K, K)
8. Jose A. Gonzalez, LF: 0-3 (K, F-8, 6-3)

SQUAD "B" PITCHERS:
1. Alec Mills: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 6 K, 4/2 GO/AO, 75 pitches (48 strikes)
2. Brendan King: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 2 GIDP, 4/3 GO/AO, 55 pitches (35 strikes)  

SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Oscar de la Cruz: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 5 K, 2 WP, 2/9 GO/AO, 78 pitches (56 strikes)
2. Enrique de los Rios: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 3/5 GO/AO, 52 pitches (31 strikes)

SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 1
3B Fidel Mejia: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 2
1. 2B Delvin Zinn: E-4 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)
2. 3B Cam Balego: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alexander Guerra: 0-1 CS

SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Jonathan Soto: 1-1 CS

SQUAD "A" OUTFIELD ASSIST:
CF Jose Gutierrez - batter (Fidel Mejia) thrown out 8-6-2 attempting to stretch triple into inside-the-park HR

ATTENDANCE: 16

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's

Arizona
Scoring
Service

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen"

Comments

PHIL: I noticed the AZ and DSL inactive lists have several players listed as signed for future service. This happens every year but I forget when those guys are able to start playing.

Are those players able to participate in extended spring training? And is their any significance to the placement of some of those "signed for future service" guys on the AZ roster? Are they more advanced and likely to start the season in Mesa or is it more just a clerical thing like you can only have so many inactive players per team?

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

[ ]

In reply to by K Dub

K-DUB: A player who is "Signed for Future Service" is any player who signs his first pro contract after July 1st (typically an International Free-Agent, but not always) where the contract is for the following season.

These players can participate (without any restriction) in post-season Instructs, Minor League Camp (Spring Training), and Extended Spring Training, and as long as the player is not placed on a full-season affiliate's roster, the player does not count against the affiliate's reserve list limit until that affiliate's Opening Day (which isn't until June for short-season clubs like Eugene, AZL Cubs #1, AZL Cubs #2, DSL Cubs #1, and DSL Cubs #2). This effectively allows an MLB organization to sign as many IFA as it wants after July 1st without having to worry about overloading an affiliate's reserve list -- that is, until the start of the short-season leagues in June.

No more than twelve players "Signed for Future Service" can be assigned to any one affiliate, and the player loses this status if he is transferred to an MLB or full-season affiliate's roster.

The Cubs had two players with "Signed for Future Service" status (C Alexander Guerra and INF Christian Donahue) at Minor League Camp this year, but Donahue (who was Signed for Future Service as a NDFA out of Oregon State last August, and then was transferred to the South Bend reserve list a couple of days ago) no longer has "Signed for Future Service" status and so he now counts against the South Bend 35-man reserve list.

In case you are wondering why the Opening Day rosters of the Cubs four full-season affiliates (Iowa, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, and South Bend) are described as "preliminary" and have more than 25 players listed, players on minor league rosters cannot be placed on a minor league club's disabled list (7-day or 60-day) until Minor League Opening Day, so expect a flurry of additional roster moves on Thursday as injured or rehabbing players are placed on the DL. The rosters that I provided (and updated daily) during Minor League Camp are where the players were actually assigned that day at Minor League Camp. Injured and rehabbing players on the reserve list of a full season affiliate (including pitchers in the Rehab Throwing Program) will be placed on that affiliate's DL on Thursday. Injured or rehabbing players on a short-season affiliate's reserve list cannot be placed on the DL until the short-season leagues begin play in June.

PHIL: What do you see from Stephen Bruno lately? You liked the kid 4-5 years ago (or, maybe it was 10?). Now, at 27, is it time for him to consider another career?

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

dude is made of glass. im a bit surprised he's not 100% blind, totally deaf, and in one of those wheelchairs you gotta blow into a straw to operate. seriously, though...he's had some tough luck injuries. speaking of, it's nice to see oscar de la cruz go 6 deep with 5 Ks and no walks. he's not just made of glass, he's a straight up pre-shattered Bag O' Glass.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

speaking of... it seems like a lot of these types of guys under the current developmental crew are getting a lot more "super utility" type work in the minors to see if they can add some value to their fringe skills. is this a thing or does it just seem this way?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

CRUNCH: The Cubs have definitely placed a greater emphasis on position-versatility in their minor league system since Joe Maddon became manager.

it's unreal how the "humidor balls" are acting at Chase Field (ARZ).

stuff is dying in the OF after getting totally crushed.  pitchers gotta be loving it, though.

[ ]

In reply to by azbobbop

azbobbop: If you're talking just about position players, nobody makes harder contact than Christopher Morel. I can close my eyes during BP and tell you when Morel is hitting because it sounds like a rifle shot. He has been playing both SS and 3B at Minor League Camp (for example, he played 3B yesterday and SS today) and handles himself well at both spots. He has a high ceiling, and is probably a Cubs Top 15 prospect right now.

Miguel Amaya, Henderson Perez, and Jonathan Soto are the next wave of Cubs top catching prospects. M. Amaya is already at South Bend, while H. Perez and Soto will be at Extended Spring Training. M. Amaya is clearly a Cubs Top 15 prospect right now, but it is possible that H. Perez or Soto could jump AZL and end up at Eugene (as happened with M. Amaya last year). H. Perez is more-polished but Soto probably has the higher-ceiling (more like M. Amaya).

A couple of players you don't hear much about are 2B Luis Diaz and OF-1B Abraham Rodriguez, probably because both are "bat-first" guys (A. Rod is a train-wreck in the outfield). Both of them consistently drill hard-contact line-drives foul-line-to-foul-line.

A. Rodriguez missed the 2017 season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left (throwing) shoulder, but he is starting to get some lift in his swing, and could become a very interesting hitting prospect later this season (probably in the AZL, but maybe at Eugene).

L. Diaz is a bit stiff defensively and so 2B is probably his best-position going forward (as opposed to elsewhere in the infield). While he appears (right now) to be perfectly adequate at 2B, an eventual move to LF is possible (presuming he hits enough to play a corner OF slot). Like A. Rodriguez, L. Diaz could skip AZL and go directly to Eugene depending on how things go for him at Extended Spring Training.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Thanks, Phil! When John first wrote about Luis Diaz at Cubs Den, he called him primarily a "speed guy". Then, Luis put up some surprising power numbers last year in the DSL. He's listed as 5'9", 160 lbs. As far as you can tell, did he fill out any? If so, did it affect his speed? Is he still what you would describe as a "speedster"?

Wow, great to hear about Christopher Morel. Can't wait to see who will be coming this weekend from the D.R.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    For sure. This lineup isn’t exactly stacked as is, and subbing out a Cooper or even a Tauchman for Madrigal won’t do it any favors.

  • crunch (view)

    the ESPN bottom graphic taking up 1/8th of the screen sucks.

    i only use ESPN during baseball season and i'm forced to watch a baseball broadcast designed to be broadcast in sports bars and betting parlors where the news/scores of other games is as important as what you're actually tuned in to watch.

  • crunch (view)

    morel triple to start the season....yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.